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2022 | Vol.8 No.9
Your NewsMag
Top Of Their Class... Meet Kennedy High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Christopher Prainito Valedictorian Christopher Prainito is intellectually curious and willing to take risks to follow his passions. Christopher’s transcript represents the absolute height of rigor beyond what the school was capable of offering him. His sheer brilliance and desire to always achieve more allowed him to skip the Algebra II course students typically take, earn a perfect score of 100 still on its corresponding state Regents exam, and exhaust the school math curriculum before he even began his senior year. Chris was President of the school Math Team in his junior year, a notable member of the Advanced Science Research program, developed an independent graduate-level research project and created a paper-based, polymeric biosensor for the detection of COVID-19 spike pro-
tein in saliva. In addition to his scholastic successes, the talented musician that he is, Chris will perform in the All-National Honor Ensemble and plays first-chair oboist in the Nassau Principal Orchestra outside of school too. He has a unique determination to do things that will not only benefit himself alone, but rather, as many people as possible around him, and to make a true impact on the world. Chris has founded his own nonprofit, environmental organization, Students Giving Trees, Inc. He was one of the founders of our school’s Cyber Patriot team in his freshman year, and served as its President. Chris participates athletically in the Varsity Track and/or Cross Country program every year for all three high school sports seasons. This is but a small snapshot of the person and student Chris Prainito is. A multi-faceted and respectful young man who is decent to the very core, Christopher Prainito is the best of the best in every capacity. Christopher was named a finalist in the NSPC Health Science Competition. He was invited to compete for top hon-
ors at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia for his research. Chris was also recognized as a semifinalist in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search for his work, among the 300 best and brightest young scientists in the Nation. Salutatorian Michelle Brown Michelle Brown is the absolute “real deal”: a scholar, a musician, a scientist, a leader, a team player, a friend to all and so much more. Michelle is genuine in everything she sets out to accomplish. With an impressive grade point average of 102, she represents Kennedy in every facet. Michelle is a genuine learner. She excels in all academic areas and has achieved near perfect grades in every class she has taken. Michelle has been inducted into every academic honor society at Kennedy, is an AP Scholar, has earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and is a Commended Student for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Michelle has a passion for the sciences. As an ASR student, Michelle’s research focuses on Parkinson’s Disease. This investigation has fueled her desire to major in biochemistry and ultimately
become a physician. Michelle’s maturity, strong sense of purpose and passion for the sciences will enable her to make this dream a reality. After school hours, Michelle is the President of Mock Trial and acts as the Lead Attorney. She is also a member of the Science and Math Clubs, Class Government and Key Club. She is also the Co-Founder/Co-President of the Junior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Michelle is an absolute gem destined to make a difference in this world. She received numerous senior awards and has recently been named a Cougar Pride recipient, which is one of the highest honors to receive at Kennedy High School. MIchelle will be attending Duke University in the fall.
